Renewing an expired Illinois driver's license
You can renew an expired Illinois driver's license through the Secretary of State's office, either online, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services facility. The method you choose depends on how long your license has been expired and whether you need to update your photo or address. Online renewal is the fastest route if your license expired within the last five years and you have not changed your name or address since it was issued.
Illinois allows you to renew up to one year before your license expires and up to five years after it expires without taking a new written or vision test. If your license expired more than five years ago, you will need to visit a Driver Services facility in person and pass the written and vision tests again, as if you were getting your first license.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through cyberdriveillinois.com takes about 10 minutes and costs $30 for a five-year license, but only works if your license expired within the last five years.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send your expired license, a completed process form, and payment to the Secretary of State's office.
- In-person renewal at a Driver Services facility is required if your license expired more than five years ago, and you must bring proof of residency, identity, and Social Security number.
- If you have changed your name or address since your license was issued, you cannot use online renewal and must go by mail or in person.
- Your new license will be mailed to you within two to three weeks if you renew by mail or online; in-person renewal produces a temporary license on the spot.
Online renewal through the Secretary of State website
The fastest way to renew is through the Secretary of State's online portal at cyberdriveillinois.com. You will need your expired driver's license number, your date of birth, and a valid payment method. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $30 for a five-year license or $50 for an eight-year license.
Online renewal is only available if your license expired within the last five years, your name and address have not changed since it was issued, and you do not need to update your photo. If any of these conditions do not explore to you, you will be directed to mail or in-person renewal instead. After you complete the online transaction, your new license will be mailed to your address on file within two to three weeks.
Mail renewal with a paper process
You can renew by mail if your license expired within the last five years. read the Driver's License Renewal process (Form DL 44) from the Secretary of State website, fill it out completely, and mail it along with your expired license and payment to the address listed on the form. The current fee is $30 for a five-year license or $50 for an eight-year license, payable by check or money order.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the Secretary of State receives your process. If you need your license sooner, in-person renewal is faster. If you have changed your address or name since your license was issued, you must include proof of the change with your process — for example, a marriage certificate for a name change or a utility bill for an address change.
In-person renewal at a Driver Services facility
Visit any Driver Services facility if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need to update your photo, or if you prefer to walk out with a temporary license the same day. Bring your expired license, a completed Driver's License Renewal process (Form DL 44), proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease).
You will also need to pass the vision test and the written test on Illinois traffic laws. The written test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. If you have not driven in many years, you may want to review the Illinois Rules of the Road handbook before your visit. The facility will issue you a temporary license on the spot, valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you.
Documents and fees you will need
| Renewal Method | Documents Required | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Expired license number, date of birth | $30 (5-year) or $50 (8-year) | 2–3 weeks by mail |
| Expired license, completed Form DL 44, proof of address if changed | $30 (5-year) or $50 (8-year) | 2–3 weeks | |
| In-person | Expired license, Form DL 44, proof of Social Security number, proof of address | $30 (5-year) or $50 (8-year) | Temporary license same day; permanent in 2–3 weeks |
Payment methods vary by renewal type. Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. In-person renewal at a Driver Services facility accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. If you are renewing by mail and your check is returned for insufficient funds, the Secretary of State will contact you to request payment again before processing your renewal.
What to do if your license expired more than five years ago
If more than five years have passed since your license expired, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must visit a Driver Services facility in person and retake both the written and vision tests. This is treated as a new license rather than a renewal, so you will need to bring the same documents as someone getting their first Illinois driver's license: proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of Social Security number, and proof of current address.
You will also need to pass the vision screening and the written test on Illinois traffic laws. The written test has 35 questions, and you must answer at least 28 correctly to pass. You can take the test up to three times in one day if you do not pass on your first attempt. After you pass, you will receive a temporary license valid for 30 days, and your permanent license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.
Finding a Driver Services facility near you
Illinois has Driver Services facilities in most counties and major cities. You can find the location, hours, and current wait times on the Secretary of State website at cyberdriveillinois.com. Many facilities operate by appointment only, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Check the website before you visit to see whether your local facility accepts walk-ins or requires you to book a time slot in advance.
Wait times vary widely depending on the facility and the time of day. Facilities in rural areas often have shorter waits than those in Chicago or other major cities. If you visit early in the morning on a weekday, you are likely to wait less than an hour. Visiting on a Saturday or near the end of the month typically means longer waits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired license while I wait for my renewal?
No. Driving with an expired license is illegal in Illinois, even if you have submitted a renewal process. If you are pulled over, you can show the officer your temporary license (if you received one at a Driver Services facility) or your receipt from an online or mail renewal, but these do not give you legal permission to drive. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, visit a facility in person to get a temporary license.
What if I changed my name since my license was issued?
You cannot renew online if your name has changed. Renew by mail or in person instead. If you are renewing by mail, include a certified copy of the document that shows your name change — such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are renewing in person, bring the original or a certified copy of the name-change document along with your other required documents.
How long does it take to get my license if I renew online?
Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within two to three weeks of when the Secretary of State processes your process. Processing usually takes a few days after you submit your online renewal. If you do not receive your license within four weeks, contact the Secretary of State's office to check the status of your renewal.
Do I need to renew my license in person if I wear glasses or contacts?
No. If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, you can renew online or by mail as long as your license has not expired more than five years ago. Your current license already notes that you must wear corrective lenses, and that restriction will carry over to your new license. You only need to visit in person if your license expired more than five years ago or if you need to update your photo.
What happens if I fail the written test at a Driver Services facility?
You can retake the written test up to three times in one day at no additional cost. If you fail all three attempts, you will need to return on another day to try again. There is no limit to how many days you can return, but you must pass the test before your temporary license expires (30 days) or you will not be able to drive legally.